[3H]zolpidem binding in alcohol-preferring and non-preferring rat brain.
The present study has employed in vitro autoradiography to study the distribution and density of [3H]zolpidem binding sites, which are regarded as an index of ethanol-sensitive gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors, in the brains of alcohol-preferring Fawn-Hooded (FH) rats compared to non-alcohol preferring Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Binding of [3H]zolpidem showed a similar distribution profile in both rat strains examined and included cerebellum, globus pallidus, nucleus of the solitary tract and a number of midbrain/hindbrain nuclei. Densitometric quantitation of binding revealed that FH rats possessed a significantly higher density of [3H]zolpidem binding compared to WKY rats in cortical regions, substantia nigra pars reticulata and the ventral pallidum. These data indicate that FH rats may have an increased number of ethanol-sensitive GABA(A) receptors in regions intimately involved in reward processes, and may partially explain the alcohol-seeking nature of the FH rat.
Chen
F
F
Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Rezvani
A
A
Jarrott
B
B
Lawrence
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011725:Pyridines / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077334:Zolpidem
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D000077334:Zolpidem